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Under the "special thanks" notes, found in all of his later albums, Corea mentions that L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, has been a continual source of inspiration. In 1968 Corea discovered Dianetics, Hubbard's principal work, and in the early 1970s developed an interest in Hubbard's science fiction novels. The two exchanged letters until Hubbard's death in 1986, and Corea even had three guest appearances on Hubbard's 1982 album Space Jazz: The Soundtrack of the Book Battlefield Earth, noting, "[Hubbard] was a great composer and keyboard player as well. He did many, many things. He was a true Renaissance Man."^[2]

Corea claimed that Scientology became a profound influence on his musical direction in the early 1970s:

I no longer wanted to satisfy myself. I really want to connect with the world and make my music mean something to people. (Down Beat, October 21, 1976, p.47)

Corea created some of his Return to Forever compositions in collaboration with Neville Potter, a friend whom he had met through Scientology. Some of the other members of Return to Forever also took Scientology courses, and the name Return to Forever itself was, in Corea's words, "definitely influenced by the Hubbard's philosophy of the spirit. [...] It sort of nailed the spiritual intent of the music, [that it should] be pure."^{[cite this quote]}

Many of his songs contain explicit references to Scientology and various works by Hubbard. For example, "What Game Shall We Play Today?" refers to the philosophical concept in Scientology that life consists of "games" in which the objective is to extract joy and satisfaction. His 2004 album To the Stars is a tone poem based on Hubbard's science fiction novel of the same name. His album The Ultimate Adventure, is also based on a Hubbard novel.

In 1998 Chick Corea and fellow entertainers Anne Archer, Isaac Hayes, and Haywood Nelson attended the 30th anniversary of Freedom Magazine, the Church of Scientology's investigative news journal, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, to honor 11 human rights activists.^[9]

Not all musicians he has collaborated with have been content with his views. Reportedly, Joe Farrell once told him not to "lay that Scientology shit" on him.^[10]

In addition, former member Al Di Meola speculates that Corea's decision to disband Return to Forever was due to Stanley Clarke's departure from Scientology.^[11]

Corea also appears in the Scientology film Orientation, giving a testimonial on how Scientology has helped him, and on the Scientology CD "The Joy of Creating".

SonOfAbraxas wrote:

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"Tone Poem" is the most pretentious type of music composition.

UGH.




I do have a CD, though, where he improvs on a Mozart piano sonata with what's-his-name "Don't Worry, Be Happy" guy ... damn, what's his name??? ACK!

Oh yeah, and the Mozart improv was pretty, but now that I know he's a DIRTY SCIENTOLOGIST, I will burn that CD.




Bobby McFerrin, that's the guy. Did you know he's a pretty good orchestra conductor guy? And I saw a special on PBS one time about him and some group of singers and they improv everything and it was fascinating.